Billy Bounce

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Billy Bounce
Author(s)W. W. Denslow (1901-1902)
C. W. Kahles (1902–1905)
Current status/scheduleConcluded
Launch dateNovember 10, 1901
End dateDecember 3, 1905
Syndicate(s)McClure Newspaper Syndicate
Genre(s)Humor

Billy Bounce was a comic strip published erratically by noted illustrator W. W. Denslow (1901–1902) and later C. W. Kahles (1902–1905) between November 10, 1901, and December 3, 1905.[1] The strip centers on the actions of the title character, a ball-shaped boy who is capable either of bouncing long distances or actual flight. It is noted as one of the earliest comic strips in which the protagonist has superpowers.[2]

Like its contemporary, Little Nemo in Slumberland, which came shortly after Billy Bounce, the strip dealt with otherworldly situations and often had recurring characters, including the King of the Pollywogs,[3] Fuzzy White and Prunes the Pieman. An alternate title for the series was Billy Bounce and the Pollywogs; the Pollywogs were introduced on October 9, 1904.[1]

In September 1906, Denslow published a single novel based on Billy's adventures, titled simply Billy Bounce. Denslow provided illustrations and the text was written by Dudley A. Bragdon.[4] It was published by G. W. Dillingham Company in New York.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Holtz, Allan (2012). American Newspaper Comics: An Encyclopedic Reference Guide. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press. p. 74. ISBN 9780472117567.
  2. ^ Billy Bounce at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "Billy Bounce: W.W. Denslow / C.W. Kahles". Barnacle Press. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010.
  4. ^ "Books for the Children" (PDF). The New York Times. December 22, 1906. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
  5. ^ Denslow, W.W.; Bragdon, D.A. (1906). Billy Bounce. G. W. Dillingham Company. Retrieved 2015-05-14.